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Promotion
At Norwalk Dojo, promotion occurs in the following stages:
Beginners
- starting kenshi
- uchikomi-geiko
- keikogi and hakama
- do, tare, and kote
- men
Kyu
- 6kyu and 5kyu
- 4kyu
- 3kyu
- 2tkyu
- 1kyu
Yudansha
- 1dan
- 2dan
- 3dan
- 4dan
Kodansha
- 5dan
- 6dan
- 7dan
- 8dan
Advancement in both kendo and iaido builds upon basics learned in previous
levels.
However, do not think that because you can do a thing well now that you
have mastered it for life. You are only it doing well for your
current level. Having attained a new level, one must work
to bring everything up to the standards of that level.
This is a good thing. It is what
makes them challenging, and something one can do for a lifetime.
Do not become discouraged!
You must have good attendance to be put up for promotion.
In order to participate in federation shinsa for kyu and dan ranks,
you must have attended at least 26 Norwalk Dojo practices in the last 9
months.
See the
SCKF page for details
on federation promotion regulations (in general, Norwalk Kendo Dojo has
somewhat higher standards).
Starting with the 2020 SCKF spring shinsa (which was cancelled due to
COVID-19), all kenshi must be able to perform Bokuto ni Yoru Kendo Kihon
Waza Keiko Ho, see kihon kata page.
The amount of time a kenshi spends as a beginner (not yet wearing
full bogu) depends on many
factors, including age, natural ability, and diligence. There is
no "average" time, but a serious adult with good coordination may be
ready to test for each successive level in perhaps 2 months.
A young child with perfect attendance may take twice that, or longer.
It all depends on the student.
The biggest factor is attendance, i.e. the amount of time you spend
seriously applying yourself to learning kendo. This is true for all kendo
stages, but it is especially true in the beginning stages;
do not miss more than one practice in a row.
Attendance, along with a good attitude, is key to obtaining sensei
approval for advancement.
Starting Kenshi
Please see the NEW MEMBERS page for
information on enrolling at Norwalk Kendo Dojo.
You must be prepared for a long-term commitment to
learning kendo. Do not consider that you "did kendo" unless
you have practiced it for at least four years.
The starting kenshi begins learning kendo wearing regular workout
clothes. This is more affordable for the beginner, and it affords the
instructors better visibility to the student's handwork and footwork.
The kenshi will begin learning
basic concepts,
rei-gi,
kihon-dosa
and, eventually,
kiri-kaeshi.
Uchikomi-geiko
In order to advance to participating in uchikomi-geiko,
the student must be able to demonstrate, at least at a beginner's level,
an understanding of
rei-gi and
basic concepts,
especially
kamae,
ashi-sabaki,
and the basic targets;
they must also be practicing kihon kata.
The student will be evaluated on selected points out of the following:
The student will be eligible for promotion under the following conditions:
- has sensei approval
- has attended four Norwalk Dojo keikos prior to the test
(the count resets to zero if two keikos in a row are missed)
Advancement to this level demonstrates that the student is learning the
fundamentals of kendo, can understand the basic terminology
necessary for further advancement,
and is able to participate, at a beginner's
level, in uchikomi-geiko.
The kenshi should expect to spend a similar amount of time in this
stage as in the previous stage, assuming the same level of
diligence is applied.
Keikogi and Hakama
In order to advance to wearing keikogi and hakama,
the student must continue to develop their understanding of the
basic concepts of kendo.
The student will be evaluated on the following:
The student will be eligible for promotion under the following conditions:
- has sensei approval
- has attended four Norwalk Dojo keikos prior to the test
(the count resets to zero if two keikos in a row are missed)
Advancement to this level demonstrates that the student is familiar with,
at least at a beginner's level, the fundamentals of kendo.
The kenshi should expect to spend a similar amount of time in this
stage as in the previous stage, assuming the same level of
diligence is applied.
Do, Tare, and Kote
Before being given permission to wear bogu,
the student must continue to develop their understanding of the
basic concepts of kendo,
The student must pass an evaluation including areas tested at the
previous level and adding the following:
- ability to wear keikogi and hakama properly
- folding keikogi and
hakama
The student will be eligible for promotion under the following conditions:
- has sensei approval
- has attended four Norwalk Dojo keikos prior to the test
(the count resets to zero if two keikos in a row are missed)
The student will initially wear just do and tare, learning the proper
way to put them on, take them off, and put them away.
Then the student may begin wearing kote, to start breaking them in
and to relearn the basics wearing bogu.
The kenshi should expect to spend a similar amount of time in this
stage as in the previous stage, assuming the same level of
diligence is applied.
Men
Before being given permission to wear men,
the student must continue to develop their understanding of the
basic concepts of kendo.
The student will be evaluated on areas tested at the
previous level and adding the following:
- knowledge and care of shinai, including
untying and retying the nakayui
The student will be eligible to test under the following conditions:
- has sensei approval
- has attended four Norwalk Dojo keikos prior to the test
(the count resets to zero if two keikos in a row are missed)
Beginners have the rank of mukyu (no rank), sometimes denoted as 0 kyu.
Kyu ("white belt") and Yudansha ("black belt") ranks
Southern California Kendo Federation ( SCKF)
has published a set of promotion
regulations
and
criteria.
Except for some exceptions for 5kyu and 4kyu, a
kenshi may only test for a rank one level above their current rank;
there is no skipping of ranks.
SCKF conducts shinkyu shinsa (promotional examination) in October and,
starting in 2010, in April.
In general, Norwalk Kendo Dojo has somewhat higher standards for promotion
than listed for SCKF (see "beginners" section above for a hint).
Student will be eligible for promotion under the following conditions:
- has sensei approval
- has attended 26 practices at Norwalk Dojo in the past 9 months
See the sections below for more information on kyu ("white belt") and
yudansha ("black belt") ranks.
Kyu ranks
The amount of time a kenshi spends at the kyu level depends on many
factors, including age, natural ability, and diligence. There is
no "average" time, but a serious kenshi with good coordination
who begins learning kendo at or before the age of 9 should be able to
achieve 1 kyu (the highest kyu level) by the age of 15 or 16.
The following tests are conducted at the dojo:
The following tests are conducted at SCKF shinsa:
6kyu and 5kyu
The lowest ranks awarded by SCKF are 6kyu and 5kyu.
According to SCKF regulations,
we cannot request 6kyu for kenshi younger than 8,
and we cannot request 5kyu for kenshi younger than 9.
Kenshi must also have at least 6 months time in practice.
6kyu and 5kyu are awarded based on the head instructor's
recommendation and demonstration of kendo basics with a motodachi (see
kihon test).
SCKF recommends the following basic skill levels for 6kyu:
- Proper reigi, eg cleaning of dojo, proper rei, and proper addressing
of instructors and senior students
- Practicing in full bogu
- Knowledge of basic commands: kamae, sonkyo, seiza, rei, mokuso,
hajime, yame, etc.
- Perform kirikaeshi, kote, men, and do using the proper footwork and
kiai
- Able to do kakari-geiko and ji-geiko
- Able to begin and end keiko or shiai properly
SCKF recommends the following basic skill levels for 5kyu:
- Show improved basic skills of all 6kyu rank requirements
- Put on and fold keikogi and hakama
- Put on dogu without assistance
- Perform nidan waza (eg kote-men)
- Understand maai (ie issoku itto maai)
4 kyu
To receive a rank of 4 kyu, a kenshi must attend the SCKF shinkyu
shinsa, where the kenshi will perform a
kihon test
with a motodachi provided by SCKF.
A panel of shinsa examiners will award the new rank, if any.
According to SCKF regulations, we cannot request 4 kyu for kenshi younger
than 10, and the kenshi must have at least 12 months time in practice.
SCKF recommends the following basic skill levels:
- Show improved skills of all lower rank requirements
- Maintain and name the parts of the shinai
3 Kyu and above
At Norwalk Dojo, we require kenshi 3 kyu and above to attend ato-geiko
(after practice) on Friday nights, and extra practice at other SCKF
dojos is also strongly encouraged.
We also require that kenshi be able to lead
warm up exercises and conduct
roll call.
To receive a rank of 3 kyu or above, a kenshi must attend the
SCKF shinkyu shinsa, where the kenshi will perform kendo with two other
kenshi trying for the same rank.
A panel of shinsa examiners will award the new rank, if any.
3 kyu
SCKF recommends the following basic skill levels:
- Show improved skills of all lower rank requirements
- Taiatari and harai waza
2 kyu
SCKF recommends the following basic skill levels:
- Show improved skills of all lower rank requirements
- Solid footwork and proper kamae
- Hikiwaza and the ability to act as a motodachi
At Norwalk Dojo, we require kenshi to be able to perform kendo kata at
least one level above SCKF requirements, so for 2 kyu a kenshi should
be able to perform kata reiho and at least the first three movements.
1 kyu
To receive the rank of 1 kyu, a kenshi must perform both kendo and
the first three kata movements at the SCKF shinsa.
SCKF recommends the following basic skill levels:
- Show improved skills of all lower rank requirements
- Proper chudan kamae with proper grip for the shinai
- Proper posture and body movement
- Proper distance (maai) and sense of timing for attach
- Debana waza and nuki waza
At Norwalk Dojo, we require kenshi trying for 1 kyu to perform kendo
at a high level of competence, to conduct themselves in a mature
manner, and to have an understanding of their responsibilities as
they move toward becoming senior kenshi at the dojo.
Yudansha ranks
The yudansha ranks represent a transition to a whole new level of kendo.
1 dan is literally the first step on this path.
1 dan
SCKF recommends the following basic skill levels:
- Show improved skills of all lower rank requirements
- Ki-ken-tai-ichi
- Datotsu-no-kikai (opportunity for attach)
- Maai (proper distance) and sense of timing for attack
- Nidan, sandan, renzoku waza (2-strike, 3-strike, multiple strike
attacks)
At Norwalk Dojo, we require kenshi 1 dan and above to be shinpan (referee)
at our monthly dojo tournaments.
2 dan
SCKF recommends the following basic skill levels:
- Show improved skills of all lower rank requirements
- Variety of waza
At Norwalk Dojo, we require kenshi 2 dan and above to be able to lead
kihon-dosa (basic exercises).
3 dan
SCKF recommends the following basic skill levels:
- Show improved skills of all lower rank requirements
- Seme
- Use of kensen to initiate attacks
- Complete sharp waza
4 dan represents a transition to the sensei ranks.
As such, it is another transition to a whole new level of kendo.
At this level, not only does Norwalk Dojo require kenshi to have
proven themselves to be solid, contributing members of the dojo,
the same is expected at the SCKF level, where all senseis
are expected to perform shinpan and other duties at all Federation
events.
SCKF recommends the following basic skill levels:
- Show improved skills of all lower rank requirements
- Perform and receive kirikaeshi
- Seme and preparedness to attack with spirit and confidence
- Variety of waza and complete yukodatotsu
- Leadership and skills to provide guidance and instruction
Kodansha
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